Letter from Lazarus Reinold to Isaac Leeser;September 22, 1853

Title: Letter from Lazarus Reinold to Isaac Leeser;September 22, 1853
Author: Lazarus Reinold
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Location(s): New York City; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Physical Characteristics: Wax Seal; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: New York September 22d 1853
Isaac Leeser Esqr
Dear Sir
Seeing that your Bible translation will be finished this month, I would respectfully request you to forward to me one copy bound in morocco gilt Edges (No 3) at $5 extra. with my name attached to it in full, also one copy of your daily Prayer books, strongly bound with “Lewis A. Arnold” printed on the cover, and one copy of your Day of Atonement Books. Please include Bill for Occident.
I suppose you have heard of the death of my father, who departed this life on the 7th of August last at Jebenhausen after only 2 days illness, aged not quite 72 years.
This sad news came quite sudden upon me having received a letter from my lamented father only about 3 weeks ago, written in the best of spirits, and dated August 5th, the very day he was taken sick. Believe me, dear Sir! I feel his loss severely, he was always a good father to me, and although not possessing the advantages of a liberal education, he was always alive to every thing advancing or improving our holy religion. Very few men in his neighborhood left a better name for benevolence.

May His soul rest in peace Amen.
And now my friend, I have to trouble you to answer me a religious question, which has occupied my mind lately. Since I have been in business in this city, I have with the help of God been a strict observer of our holy Hebrew. This of course is no credit to any one professing Judaism, but you know human nature well enough to appreciate the sacrifice of worldly considerations one has to undergo who has been delinquent in this great duty towards his maker. I come now to the point. Notwithstanding observing the Hebrew strictly, I have at the same time kept but the 1st day of the holy days Hebrew, and in doing so, I felt myself fully justified, as the plain Law of God only commands us to keep each one of these respective days holy, and we have no authority to change it in 2 days, as it is written in the same Law of God on several occasions “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command thee, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.” Now my dear friend, how do you reconcile these several passages to this rabbinical institution of ordaining two days in place of the highest authority commanding only one? This is my position and argument.

I have never studied traditional law, and as it is my wish to do right in the sight of God and men, I take my refuge to you, to inform me on this subject, wether the step I have taken is right or wrong. Judging from your past strict Orthodoxy, I am almost convinced beforehand, that you will decide against me, however I have full reliance in your Judgment confident that you will give me sufficient proofs to uphold your position, at the same time considering the consistency of my own opinion in this matter.
I will say it without meaning any flattery to yourself, that your teaching has somewhat made me a better man, and in accordance will with pleasure subject myself to any decision you shall be pleased to pronounce
May I beg of you the favor of as early a reply as your occupation will permit.
Wishing you many happy returns to the approaching holy days, I remain
most respectfully, your friend
Lazarus Rinold
40 Cedar St

Rev. Isaac Leeser
371 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
Pa
Identifier: LSDCBx1FF10_61
Date: 1853-09-22

Part of Letter from Lazarus Reinold to Isaac Leeser;September 22, 1853

Lazarus Reinold, “Letter from Lazarus Reinold to Isaac Leeser;September 22, 1853”, 1853-09-22, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/66988